  Rel Member Username: Rel Post Number: 460 Registered: 02-2008 |
After the State of the City Address, I haven't heard any outrage about the decision to demolish the Detroit Boat Club. Is anyone else bothered by this? It's not even "abandoned"! Text from the speech: "We also will be presenting to the Detroit Public Schools a proposal we have received to create a residential boarding academy for young people who need a more structured environment. The proposal has been developed by a team led by Dr. Carl Taylor, the renowned sociologist and youth development specialist from Michigan State University. It would create the school on the site of the old Belle Isle Boat Club." I know the Boat Club is in poor shape, and it would take a financial miracle to completely rehab, but the building can be saved. One would think the City would give demolition priority to buildings that are beyond help, not to mention, not historically significant to Detroit. Also, what would residential traffic do to Belle Isle? And why can't they find someplace else to build this? The last time I looked, the City wasn't exactly short on options in terms of land. http://www.detroitboatclub.com / http://info.detnews.com/redesi gn/history/story/historytempla te.cfm?id=94 | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 942 Registered: 10-2003 |
Why not put the academy in one of the school buildings that closed last year? | ||
Tkshreve Member Username: Tkshreve Post Number: 279 Registered: 07-2006 |
Too Bad. I spent many years at the boat club. I have always meant to go back through there. Now I guess I should make that a priority. I would also hate to think that Kwame is the reason why the Boat Club is gone. Crooked Crook | ||
Brian_fitzcarraldo Member Username: Brian_fitzcarraldo Post Number: 33 Registered: 10-2007 |
I think everyone just assumes it's not going to happen. Like the plan to turn Michigan Central Station into the DPD headquarters. Also, that boat club looks like fun. I'd like to join. Anyone ever checked it out? | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1480 Registered: 11-2003 |
Tear it down and replace it with a Joe's Crab Shack, boardwalk, Dave and Busters, and areas to sit and relax, concession stands for the summer... make it what the river walk isn't. | ||
Rel Member Username: Rel Post Number: 461 Registered: 02-2008 |
Ed_Golick, brilliant idea. I am assuming demolition, since he didn't use the words "rehabilitate", "renovate", "save", or "preserve". It sounds like they're not even going to use the shell. Again, in his words, they'd build it on the site of the DBC. Why demolish such a jewel (located on another jewel) when there are so many other options? | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1481 Registered: 11-2003 |
I do feel that there are many other buildings he should focus on instead of that one small one. I wish I could understand his logic and rationale and thought process for some things... | ||
Eastside_cat Member Username: Eastside_cat Post Number: 21 Registered: 02-2008 |
Viziondetroit I think you are on to something, that's really what the river walk needs, is to take advantage of the waterfront in such a way that commercial attractions such as the type you suggest could become a magnet for Urbanites and Suburbanites alike to come and enjoy the view while also encouraging economic growth. Kind of like the half a dozen or so bars that were thriving from Stroh town to the Soup kitchen 20 plus years ago. I know when I ran with the Motor City Striders we would always end up at one of those location after a run thru the City. | ||
Ladyinabag Member Username: Ladyinabag Post Number: 472 Registered: 03-2007 |
I went to a wedding there reception one time It was beautiful. | ||
Rel Member Username: Rel Post Number: 463 Registered: 02-2008 |
Maybe Kwame thinks we need another nail salon, liquor store, and check-cashing store there! The Belle Isle strip mall... seriously, folks ;) I hear that Preservation Wayne will be hosting an event there in May. I hope to get tickets. This type of threat reminds me why groups like Preservation Wayne are necessary. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1483 Registered: 11-2003 |
I hate having to drive to Utica for some fun and good eating when I want something like Joe's or Dave and Busters. We have a great waterfront which could be a great draw with food and entertainment and viable parks. The river walk is great.. but that's all you can do is walk. It's a great development, but.. Belle Isle can be a good destination spot... hell put some gazebos up for photos, a reception/ conference center facing the water (no offense to the DYC- but a lil smaller and more modern) | ||
Rel Member Username: Rel Post Number: 464 Registered: 02-2008 |
Uhh... wait. Viziondetroit, are you serious about those chain restaurants? Don't get me wrong, I support more riverfront development and wouldn't shun chain restaurant from the City. But that heavy commercial traffic (and cheap corporate image) would hurt the island. I'd welcome those restaurants on the other side of the bridge. Edited to add... (Message edited by rel on March 16, 2008) | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 684 Registered: 06-2005 |
Just out of curiosity, why would anyone think that this is actually going to happen? The Board has no more of the bond money left and the City is broke. Could you possibly be thinking that because the mayor said it and he's a man of his word that that just settles it? | ||
Rel Member Username: Rel Post Number: 465 Registered: 02-2008 |
I hope it's an empty threat. I'm glad someone brought up the failed plan for DCS. But still, the fact that he thinks it's a good idea... really makes me (further) question his judgement. | ||
Cub Member Username: Cub Post Number: 179 Registered: 02-2007 |
He should be trying to at least find a way to generate funds with that Grand Building. Start a Detroit sponsored club. | ||
Leoqueen Member Username: Leoqueen Post Number: 1937 Registered: 07-2004 |
The Mayor was woofing. He also said the Police Department was moving into the Train Station....I dont see any Crown Vics parked out front. But what scares me is he probably does mean it. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4504 Registered: 02-2005 |
It's really a bogus plan. The essence of the problem with it is that there is no need to be tearing down a place with such value when there is so much open space elsewhere, and plenty of recently-abadoned school buildings, too. | ||
Rel Member Username: Rel Post Number: 468 Registered: 02-2008 |
So why hasn't the media said anything about this? Lack of interest? What a silly idea! | ||
Detroitmaybe Member Username: Detroitmaybe Post Number: 30 Registered: 03-2008 |
lol..the outrage over everything else got overshadowed by the boat club issue! thanks for reminding me that i was perplexed by that when i first heard it! Why are we putting kids on an island?? | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 5270 Registered: 10-2003 |
Maybe he can have Carlita bust that shit up with a baseball bat? I hear she's good with that plus it would save the poor city thousands of $$$. | ||
W_chicago Member Username: W_chicago Post Number: 8 Registered: 01-2008 |
"Tear it down and replace it with a Joe's Crab Shack, boardwalk, Dave and Busters, and areas to sit and relax, concession stands for the summer... make it what the river walk isn't." wow. way to ruin a quiet oasis away from our material obsessed existence. why can't folks just pack a picnic like the good 'ol days???? why make Belle Isle "what the rive walk isn't," when you can just make the rive walk the destination for entertainment/shopping/eating? ?? | ||
W_chicago Member Username: W_chicago Post Number: 9 Registered: 01-2008 |
or alternatively we turn the entire island into a race track and casino. LOL | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1484 Registered: 11-2003 |
"He should be trying to at least find a way to generate funds with that Grand Building. Start a Detroit sponsored club." ^^ I'd rather see an effort from him to raze the abandoned/ burned out homes in the city. We direct a lot of attention to downtown... a city with a downtown and no residents who want to live in the neighborhoods equals what? | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 524 Registered: 01-2007 |
I went to NMU in Marquette MI in the 80's. Within a mile from Lake Superior. They had a stretch of about 3 miles of beach and pines between the Coast Guard Station near the South harbor and the city of Marquette, and the Dead River and Upper Peninsula Power Co at the northern end of the North harbor. Across Lakeshore Blvd. from the beach & lake, were several restaurants and ice cream places (not chain) that one could go for a frosty one on a hot day in the summer and enjoy the view. (Both the college ladies and the other scenery.) Not the Riverwalk, but Detroit should employ the same principles. | ||
Brian_fitzcarraldo Member Username: Brian_fitzcarraldo Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2007 |
According to a Detroit News story, the building is the oldest concrete structure in the country. Beautiful building, too, despite all the disrepair. | ||
Jgavrile Member Username: Jgavrile Post Number: 56 Registered: 09-2005 |
Maybe the Riverwalk should be complimented with stores along it ,the way the boardwalks along the eastcoast are. Probably would like to have some control of what is put up, but I think it would make the Riverwalk more attractive to people to be able to have concession along its route. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 1176 Registered: 11-2005 |
It won't happen. Ed is right. Why not one of the empty schools? Unless you were going to use the Boat Club building itself as the school. I'd be down with that. Why spend more money on demolishing another historic structure and building something new when you can reuse? Sheesh. Does he think this is Grosse Pointe or something? But regardless. It won't happen. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4505 Registered: 02-2005 |
Where are all of these historic structures getting demolished in Grosse Pointe? | ||
Gibran Member Username: Gibran Post Number: 2059 Registered: 02-2007 |
returning it to a functional building makes total sense...the appeal of Belle Isle has withstood decades of change...but to lose these great buildings when other cities would die to have them to get creative with; is unbelievable... get Wayne State involved, and come up with-some ideas to preserve it's usefulness ... keep the chains across river but near enough to make the area a multiple use destination site... there must be a restaurant with enough drawing power to make it a viable marina destination and winter attraction to ensure it's architectural integrity. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 921 Registered: 08-2007 |
It is a shame to have the rotting Boat Club greet you as you cross the bridge to the Isle. The rowing club has poured their own time and money into the building and they deserve credit for keeping it standing. Without the Rowing Club it would be gone the way of many empty buildings: burned by crackheads and scrappers. Since the building has never been a public building, I see no need to make it one now. Just get it back on the tax rolls. I think Penske should buy it for a dollar and turn it into his HQ for Grand Prix racing. Since Mr. P. owns the island for almost 3 months out of the year, and since he has to bring on trailers to operate as Command Central for the Grand Prix racing team, the thing to do is to give the entire Detroit Grand Prix administration the Boat Club Building. They can use their pockets to rehab the structure and get it back on the tax roles. During the Grand Prix it can operate Command Central which will decrease the need for those lovely trailers. Moreover, if Penske - the man- didin't want the building maybe the Detroit Grand Prix would buy it and change it into their HQ along with the HQ for the Hydroplane races and any other special events held on the Isle. |
